Lionel Messi has given his backing to out-of-favour Argentina team mate Gonzalo Higuain and said the Juventus forward should be recalled to the national side in time for next year's World Cup finals.
Although coach Jorge Sampaoli selected him in his first game in charge in June, he has left him out of all seven matches since.
But Messi believes he should be recalled in time for the World Cup in Russia.
He is one of the best strikers in the world and he has shown that every week at Juventus," the Barcelona player told Argentina broadcaster TyC on Wednesday.
But Messi believes the enforced layoff has had a positive effect on the the striker, who turns 30 on Sunday.